Leading port authorities around the world have come together to launch the World Ports Climate Action Program.
The new international initiative will see the port authorities of Rotterdam, Hamburg, Barcelona, Antwerp, Los Angeles, Long Beach and Vancouver join forces on a number of projects that will address issues of global warming.
“The Paris Agreement has set a clear target; we need to limit global warming to well below 2°C [and] it is vital in this context to reduce the emissions generated by maritime transport,” said Port of Rotterdam Authority president and chief executive officer, Allard Castelein. “As critical hubs in the global maritime transport network, I am convinced that ports can make a significant contribution.”
He noted that the programme would focus on increasing the efficiency of supply chains by using digital tools, advancing common and ambitious emissions-reducing policy approaches, and accelerating the development of in-port renewable power-2-ship and other zero emission solutions.
Other focus areas will include accelerating the development of commercially viable sustainable low-carbon fuels for maritime transport along with efforts to fully decarbonise cargo-handling facilities in ports.
The seven port authorities also called on the shipping industry and other ports to join the commitment to deliver on the Paris Agreement and work together to yield measurable results. They urged government and regulators to adopt global or international policies for carbon dioxide pricing and to provide funding to relevant research and development and pilot projects.
